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Warp Records Reject DRM, Go Bleep
DJ Phase writes "Warp Records, an independent label for electronic music (featuring artists such as Aphex Twin, Autechre, and Boards of Canada), has made their entire back catalog available thru Bleep, a new digital download service. Individual tracks are $1.35 for those of us in the USA, with EPs and full albums in the $4 to $10 price range. You can download Aphex Twin's rare, groundbreaking Hangable Auto Bulb EP for $4.29. To quote from the FAQ: 'We are at present the only store to offer very high quality MP3 files,' and 'Bleep music has no DRM or copy protection built in. We believe that most people like to be treated as customers and not potential criminals'."
Just because you've never heard of Warp doesn't mean they aren't significant. Warp has Aphex Twin, Squarepusher, and many other influential electronic bands. They are by no means a two bit operation.
Don't get me long, I love Warp. I dig Aphex Twin, and Autechre just rocks my world. BUT Warp is a relatively small label when compared to the big guys out there. Sure, I'll trust Warp and gladly fork over the cash for the music, but if Warner Brothers was doing the exact same thing, would we still be so quick to sing praise? Everytime a major label does anything we raise eyebrows and wonder what deviant scheme the bastards have come up with. IMHO Bleep is great, but it's still just one label out of hundreds, of which only a few really matter to the masses -- and those few are still charging around $15 for a CD.